"The company have declared that the 60-day consultation period is over and that they will be making an announcement fairly soon as to what their final plans will be. Whether the company regards the consultation ended or not, we will continue to do everything we can to persuade them away from their present course.

"The company rejected outright alternative proposals from Amicus to maintain and safeguard members' pensions in the Final Salary Scheme of Pension Trust and the Money Purchase section provisions.

"Amicus is horrified that the company can make light of the damage they are doing to the pensions of their longer serving employees. We will be consulting our members and reps on what the next steps should be."